Shabbat Shalom ~ Tetzaveh 2025

Dear WJC Family,

There is so much going on around here over the next few weeks that it is hard to remember where to start. Well, I guess we can start there – Remembrance, or in Hebrew “Zachor.” This Shabbat is the one that immediately precedes the holiday of Purim, known as Shabbat Zachor. On it we remember the threats to Jewish communities over the millenia, including the genocidal mania of Haman in Megillat Esther. The underlying message of Shabbat Zachor is that we can celebrate the victory of Purim, but we must never forget the disease of Antisemitism that made the battle necessary. 

Of course, today we don’t need much reminding as there are reminders seemingly everywhere. But Shabbat Zachor also reminds us that we must pay attention and take action. That is why I hope you will join me this Wednesday night, March 12th, as I sit down in conversation with Kenneth Stern, one of the country’s leading experts on Antisemitism. Ken is the director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, an attorney and award-winning author. For twenty-five years, he was the American Jewish Committee’s expert on antisemitism, and he was also the lead drafter of the “Working Definition of Antisemitism.” He has argued before the Supreme Court of the United States and testified before Congress. The event will begin after minyan at 7:45 – refreshments will be served.

Perhaps you’re also looking for an active way to stand up against Antisemitism. Participate in the Ride for the Living, the 60 mile bicycle ride from Auschwitz to Krakow to raise funds for the JCC of Krakow. The ride only takes a day, but the incredible experience goes from Wednesday June 25th to Sunday June 29th. WJC has a team participating in the ride for the second straight year (last year was a terrific group of over 20 and we are up to about 15 people for 2025). We would love for you to join us too! To learn more and/or register, click here.

One more item on this topic – instead of my usual Torah Talk video this week, I am posting Gal Gadot’s keynote address at the Anti-Defamation League Conference held in NYC this week. It is worth the watch so click the video link below and start at 45 seconds.

One more great way to stand up to Antisemitism is to hold our Judaism even closer to our hearts and on our sleeves. This should definitely not be our only reason for doing Jewish, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. One way to stand up and be counted is to redeclare/celebrate your status as a Jew who counts by participating in our 2025-2026 Adult Bat/Bar Mitzvah Cohort! Are you a person who for one reason or another did not have the opportunity to celebrate a bar or bat mitzvah? Have you celebrated when you were young, but know that it would be meaningful to have another ritual ceremony to celebrate who you are as a Jew today compared to then? If so, the Bat/Bar mitzvah 2026 cohort is for you. If you have any questions about this program, we’d love to talk with you about it. Please reach out and we’ll set up a time to talk.

Don’t forget, Friday we have a full evening of Shabbat programming including our regular service, Rhythm & Ruach, a Shabbat dinner honoring our new members (registration required), and Author Talk with Rachel Gordan, author of “Postwar Stories: How Books Made Judaism American.” (I heard there may even be a cake with 50 candles ((but how will we blow them out on Shabbat?))

See you in shul,

RJA